How to Maintain Mental Health at Work
There is today a growing need today to improve the state of mental health at work. In these times of growing demands and work pressure, it has become extremely vital to find ways to keep the work morale high even in stressful situations. The leadership of any organisation is directly or indirectly responsible for keeping the standards of mental health at work high, not just on moral grounds, but to ensure an employee-friendly environment for newcomers as well. Here are a few measures that managers and executives can implement to maintain mental health at work.
Involving every employee in company growth
Many people experience severe anxiety and stress today, and non-performance is one of the biggest reasons behind it. In today’s volatile economic conditions, where job security has become a major concern, involving everyone in your company’s growth can make a big difference. Performing well at work gives any employee a sense of achievement and satisfaction at work, which is a natural way to keep up mental health at work. If a person does not feel like they are making any difference at work, it may make them feel either anxious or detached from work which may hamper the workplace morale.
Implementing employee-friendly policies
The easiest way to create a positive atmosphere at work is to implement work policies that look after the employees as much as the organisation and its leadership. While it is the job of the management to increase productivity as much as possible, unreasonably increasing work hours and contacting employees during non-working hours should be strictly prohibited. Practising such pro-employee policies will not only retain employees for a longer period of time but also attract new employees simply because of a supportive environment. In the post-pandemic world, companies should also be more open to work-from-home options or hybrid work options. While many companies have adopted these policies to increase productivity, some organisations continue to resist them, which will ultimately prove counterproductive.
Avoid micromanagement
Perhaps the biggest reason why employees often leave high-paying jobs is because of constant conflicts and differences with the managers. While drawing criticism of employee work is often the job of the manager, they must be trained to give their employees the right direction and freedom to work, rather than micromanaging them. There is a big difference between constructive criticism and destructive criticism, and the management has to focus on the former. Employees are known to perform better when they get ample space rather than having to constantly look over their shoulders while working.
Rewarding good work
Recognising and rewarding the extraordinary contributions of employees is the ultimate form of positive reinforcement. Presenting employees with awards or other forms of appreciation can make a huge difference. Doing so shoots up their confidence and self-worth, thereby strengthening their morale and spreading positive energy to the workplace. Keeping the employees’ morale high is the best way to protect and deepen mental health at work. There is nothing more reassuring to a person than knowing that they are truly valued at any place, and routinely rewarding your employees is the oldest and the ideal way to go.
